Eugenio Suarez

Suarez made the move from shortstop to third base after Todd Frazier was dealt to the White Sox. He struggled to adjust in the field for much of the year, committing the second-most errors among all p...

Suarez was one of the few bright spots in the Reds' miserable 2015 season, heisted from the Tigers in the Alfredo Simon deal. He stepped up after Zack Cozart's ugly knee injury and held his own at shortstop, despite having a bumpy defensive start. Suarez is not as sure-handed as Cozart but might have a little bit more range. The Reds will probably find a way to play both Suarez and Cozart in 2016, possibly moving Suarez to third base or left field following the Todd Frazier trade. In a full season, Suarez has the potential to produce a 20-homer season while potentially earning multi-position eligibility.

2015

With Jose Iglesias out for the season, Suarez took on a much bigger role than expected for the Tigers in 2014. Suarez was called up to Detroit after making just 12 appearances with Triple-A Toledo. After reaching Detroit, Suarez was used in a platoon with Andrew Romine at shortstop. His strikeout rate (24.2 percent) hinted at the missed development time at the upper levels of the minors, but Suarez did flash the ability to work the count and draw his fair share of walks (7.9%). Suarez never flashed significant power or speed during his time in the minors, but he has shown the ability to reach double-digits in both home run and steals. While he was considered a solid defensive prospect in the minors, Suarezís defense was erratic for much of his rookie campaign, which caused him to lose time to the more defensively inclined Romine down the stretch last season. Traded to the Reds in December as part of the Alfredo Simon deal, Suarez will likely open the year in a utility role but could eventually work into the starting job at short if Zack Cozart doesn't produce.

2014

Suarez has been quietly working his way up the Tigers' prospect rankings over the past couple seasons, and his upward trend continued in 2013, as he graduated from the A-ball levels to see his first taste of action at Double-A Erie. In 442 at-bats with the club, Suarez hit .253/.332/.387 with nine homers, 45 RBI and 53 runs. His batting average dipped from the .311 mark he posted with High-A Lakeland earlier in the season, but Suarez displayed a boost in power by clearing the fence nine times at Erie. While not considered a burner, Suarez has shown the ability to steal bases at the minor league level, but he will have to improve on the 44 percent success rate from last year to continue seeing a green light. He picked up his fair share of strikeouts (123) last season, but he also displayed the ability to draw a walk (60). Most scouts are sold on Suarezís ability to be a plus defender in the majors, but a lack of speed and range could eventually lead to a transition from shortstop to second base. The 22-year-old Suarez is Detroitís most complete minor-league option at the position and ranks as a top-10 overall prospect for the team. That said, with Jose Iglesias now projected to be the Tigersí long-term option at Suarez's position, the team is in no rush to bring him up from the minors. A strong showing at Double- and Triple-A in 2014 could put Suarez on the Tigersí radar for 2015, though, likely for a utility role.

2013

Suarez is an international signee who splashed onto the prospect scene in 2012. The 21-year-old shortstop hit .288/.380/.409 with 45 extra-base hits and 21 steals in 511 at-bats for Low-A West Michigan last season. Heís already considered a plus defender, with solid instincts and a strong arm. The biggest question mark with Suarez looms with his ability to swing a productive bat at the higher levels of the minors and eventually the majors. At six-feet and 180 pounds, Suarez isnít the biggest player and his other tools are not the kind that make scouts salivate, but his production at the plate in his age-20 season is hard to argue. Heís still a couple years away from big league consideration and needs to prove himself at higher levels, but Suarez is starting to look like a name to monitor for keeper leagues that track minor league players.